Caron Butler Eyeing Return In Second Round

Butler suffered a torn patella tendon in his right knee at Milwaukee on Jan. 1.

Caron Butler probably won’t get on the court for the Mavs-Blazers series (though his team certainly could’ve used his defensive prowess yesterday), but if Dallas makes it through, he may return in the second round, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports: “Caron Butler has not been cleared for contact, but he appears to have a shot to contribute to the Dallas Mavericks if they reach the second round. The next step will be getting cleared for contact work, which could happen in the next week or two. Butler has maintained that he would be ready to help the Mavericks by the second round of the playoffs.